Itinerary
Our trek starts and ends at Loharkhet, a 210 km drive from Kathgodam. The trek to Pindari and Kafni glaciers bifurcate 30 km away at Dwali. We first take on the Pindar Valley. On Day 3, we reach Khati after a night at Dhakuri and proceed towards Dwali the next day. On Day 5, we reach Phukria and take on the Pindar Glacier zero point the next morning before descending all the way down to Dwali again. On Day 7, we start the Kafni Glacier trek. The massive frozen mass of ice lies 12 km east of Dwali. After a day of exploring the glacier, we start retracing our steps and reach Loharkhet on Day 10 via Dwali and Dhakuri.
Day 1: Drive to Loharkhet via Bageshwar (210 km)
A 10-12 hr drive from Kathgodam will bring you to Loharkhet. Overnight in tents.
Day 2: Trek to Dhakuri (11 km)
We start from Loharkhet for Dhakuri. Snowy peaks of the Great Himalayan Range loom closer. The peaks of Trisul, Devtoli, Maiktoli and Nanda Khat that form the southern rim of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary can be seen. The trail winds through evergreen forest of oak and horse chestnut. On the way there is a small temple Taladhakri, beyond which expansive meadows and rhododendron forests dominate the landscape. We will camp on the Dhakuri meadows just below the Dhakuri Khal. Overnight in tents.
Day 3: Trek to Khati (8 km)
The gradient is gentle and an easy hike will bring us to the last inhabited village before the Pindari Glacier, Khati. The village lies on the banks of the Pindar Ganga River. We will get to watch village life from up close here. You can also visit the temple here. There are Cobra lilies along the way. Overnight in tents.
Day 4: Trek to Dwali (11 km)
Trekking distance: 11 km; Altitude Gain: 369 m. It is a long trek to Dwali today. The landscape is picturesque! There are small tea stalls along the route. Dwali lies across a narrow bridge over the Pindar River. Overnight in tents.
Day 5: Trek to Phukria (5 km)
Trekking distance: 5 km; Altitude Gain: 579 m. Shortly after Dwali, the vegetation starts thinning. Crossing the treeline, we will reach Phukria today. There are numerous frozen streams along the way. A beautiful waterfall lies a little distance away from the campsite. Overnight in tents.
Day 6: Trek to Zero Point, Return to Dwali (12 km)
Trekking distance: 12 km; Altitude Gain: 559 m. We will start early for the Pindari Glacier Zero Point. You can see the snout of the Pindari Glacier from here. Stunning vistas of Mt Baljuri and Mt Panwali Dwar can be enjoyed from here. We will trek back to Dwali. Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Trek to Kafni Glacier (12 km)
Trekking distance: 12 km; Altitude Gain: 1285 m. After an early breakfast, we start trekking towards the left of the Pindar Valley. The incline is steep and the trail meanders along the Kafni River. The fall is near vertical. The views are scenic. Mist strewn grasslands dominate the landscape. Wild strawberry shrubs grow all along the trail. From the Kafni Glacier, we can see the main Himalayan Ranges. The glacier appears like an immense black and white tongue. The mouth is buried under moraines and the turquoise waters of the Kafni River. You have the rest the day to explore the glacier. Overnight in tents.
Day 8: Trek to Dwali (12 km)
We will return to Dwali today. Overnight in tents.
Day 9: Trek to Dhakuri via Khati (19 km)
We will retrace our steps back to Dhakuri today. Overnight in tents.
Day 10: Trek to Loharkhet (11 km), Drive to Kathgodam
A 11 km trek will bring us to Loharkhet today, from where we will drive to Kathgodam.